How many people ride their Sportsters to Sturgis? I have never been there & I am looking at buying a 2003 100 year Sportster & wondered if they are comfortable enough for a two day ride to Sturgis?
Thanks

If it was easy, it wouldn't be any fun. We used to marvel at the old Triumphs and BSA's and I never heard anybody talk about how much they vibrated, just how fast they were.

Ride to live and live to Ride.

Chuck

I am riding to sturgis from here this year with a buddy on his sporty and mine..not too worried, should be a fun ride but then again sturgis is less than 4 hours from here if I recall. We should try and have an xlforum area for all of us...

I just got off the phone with a buddy who I grew up with.

He just made hotel reservations for Sturgis and we will be going out this summer. It is around 1800 miles from here and my buddy wants to do it in three days.

He will be riding a 2003 Electra Glide Standard, his buddy will be riding a 2002 Road King Classic and I will be going on my 2004 1200R.

My biggest concern is how I will pack my stuff on my Sportster.

I have a Lepera Solo seat and a Motherwell luggage rack. I do not have nor will I be getting a sissy bar so a TBag is out of the question. I figure a set of saddlebags and a duffle bag tied down to my luggage rack should do the trick. I currently have a set of Willie and Max saddle bags but I am seriously considering getting a set of Leatherworks 112 Trimline Saddlebags with Easy Brackets.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/Leatherworks/images/112classic.jpg

Although they are a little pricey they look like goods bags plus the way they are setup you can tie down additional gear to the tops of the saddlebags.

I am going to bring a backpack with a weeks worth of clothes for my trip...I have no idea where we are staying..one buddy mentioned having a friend with a house there, or I may just stay with a friend on base who is stationed at ellsworth..about 20 miles away I think.

You can only go as far as your mind will allow you. I did a 3500 mile week trip with a buddy of mine in 95. My sporty was a great ride and partner for the trip because I never believed it would not be a perfect touring bike. The pack made a great backrest for the ride. I tied stuff to the bars(windscreen substitute) and had a bunch of stuff in my waterproof duffle in the back. We even brought tents and sleeping bags along so we had everything. The ride was awesome and the hundred mile stops were needed for gas and the body anyway. I would highly recommend a windscreen for the trip because your neck will be the first thing to ache with the wind constantly pushing on your head. Here is a pic. from my trip. Have fun. It will be awesome.http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/82medium_pic10.jpg

whatever you do dont pack too much stuff.
i have a 2003 883R with 12,500 miles on her so far.
taken several trips and i bring a sleeping bag,spare helmet (never know who ya might meet) and a set of throw over saddle bags with an extra pair of jeans ,fleece pullover( for cold weather riding) and a few t-shirts.thats it.
i dont wear underwear when i ride,much more comfortable and i can buy socks or any other things i need when i get where i am going.
if i pick up anything big along the way,i just ups it back home.
done a couple of 500 mile days on the sporty,takes about 8-9 hrs and is pretty exhausting. 350-400 miles a day is more to my liking.
hoping to hit sturgis this summer from syracuse ny, then on to california and back all in 16 days.

Thanks everyone. I have really enjoyed this forum, the people on here are the best. I'm learning alot about the Sportster & Harleys in general. This will be my first time to Sturgis. My Ex made me sell my Yamahammer 13 years ago & i swore my next bike would be a Harley. After the divorce all I can afford is a Sporster or another Jap bike & I really want a Harley. It would be cool to have a Sportster get together at Sturgis & maybe take a Sportster Trip while there.

A word of advice, never use the term all I can afford when speaking of our beloved sportsters. They are all you will ever need or want. They are truly great bikes and the only reason to buy a bigtwin is because of peer pressure because they certainly aren't any better, just different.

A word of advice, never use the term all I can afford when speaking of our beloved sportsters. They are all you will ever need or want. They are truly great bikes and the only reason to buy a bigtwin is because of peer pressure because they certainly aren't any better, just different.


I gotta agree with Ralph.....Money has nothing to do with the HD experience. All my bud's told me to stay away from the sporty's. After buying one I see no need for a big twin. The 1200 has all the tourque & HP you'll need.


my .02
Dave

I gotta agree with Ralph.....Money has nothing to do with the HD experience. All my bud's told me to stay away from the sporty's. After buying one I see no need for a big twin. The 1200 has all the tourque & HP you'll need.


my .02
Dave
Yep me to and I live down under :luvsport

Grayfeather

A word of advice, never use the term all I can afford when speaking of our beloved sportsters. They are all you will ever need or want. They are truly great bikes and the only reason to buy a bigtwin is because of peer pressure because they certainly aren't any better, just different.




Well said Brotha! :smoke

... i dont wear underwear when i ride...

More than I needed to know... :shhhh

How many people ride their Sportsters to Sturgis? I have never been there & I am looking at buying a 2003 100 year Sportster & wondered if they are comfortable enough for a two day ride to Sturgis?
Thanks

IMHO you can ride your Sportster anywhere the road will take you. About 500 miles a day is my max on any bike without a wind screen.

Strictly my opinion, here are a few things I try to keep in mind to make a trip comfortable:

Most important: Allow plenty of time. Don't knock yourself out trying to make 700 miles a day. It's a lot more fun if you have time to take a break whenever you want and short side trips to see the Worlds biggest ball of string or whatever no matter what you are riding.

Strongly consider a vented full face helmet. I realize that full face helmets are not in style for a lot of Harley riders. The last long trip I took was from Jefferson County Mo to San Antonio Texas. By the time I got there my neck was actually bruised from the strap on my half helmet digging into my throat. My face was raw as heck from bugs, sand and gravel. I ended up buying a full face helmet and mailing my half helmet home.

Bring gear for all weather conditions. It might be 90 degrees when you start and 39 degrees when you cross the Mountains. Plan ahead and save yourself some suffering. The weather South Dakota can vary tremendously, hot in the daytime, cold at night, plenty of wind and rain on occasion.
High/Low August temps: Warmest Recorded Temperature: 106° on August 15, 1988
Coldest Recorded Temperature: 38° on August 22, 1966 There is plenty of info other @ http://www.sturgis.com/

I have a guide that may be useful @ http://reviews.ebay.com/EMERGENCY-ITEMS-TO-CARRY-ON-YOUR-BIKE_W0QQugidZ10000000001451703

I hope we meet on the road!

IMHO you can ride your Sportster anywhere the road will take you. About 500 miles a day is my max on any bike without a wind screen.

I have a guide that may be useful @ http://reviews.ebay.com/EMERGENCY-ITEMS-TO-CARRY-ON-YOUR-BIKE_W0QQugidZ10000000001451703

I hope we meet on the road!Don, thanks for the link...also, I appreciated doing business with you (Saddlebags for my XL50). The items are just what I was looking for, and I appreciated the XLforum discount.

I hope to meet you at Sturgis next year. We have a small group leaving from Kansas City.

my 05 took me there this year no problems only an 9 hour drive,i wished it was a 19 hour ride.rob from canada

As far as packing for the ride...

Put everything on the floor that you want to take along and then eliminate items if everything won't fit.

My weekend trip last summer to Gettysburg I brought along my camera & laptop, clothes, light & heavy coat, rain gear, tools and some other things. It can be done if you can see it as a 3-d puzzle. (little tricks like rolling your clothes instead of folding them)

I also recommend riding as much as possible now until trip time to keep your body used to being in the saddle. Those little charlie horses and cramps are less likely to pop up.

i second that....could have bought any bike,and bought a sporty

I have considered riding my own to Sturgis this coming year. After being there on the back of a Superglide two years ago, my main concern is the wind. Once you hit Murdo, S.D. or so, the wind is incredible! You just can't know the depth I mean until you've done the trip. We had heard, and it was still more than we expected. Seeing that my 250lb. hubby on a fully packed Superglide had trouble keeping the bike upright and in a forward (although never straight) motion, it concerns me whether a 125lb. female on an 883 could handle the wind...

Seeing that my 250lb. hubby on a fully packed Superglide had trouble keeping the bike upright and in a forward (although never straight) motion, it concerns me whether a 125lb. female on an 883 could handle the wind...

A bigger bike and a bigger rider have a bigger profile! You will just have to find your "groove" riding in the wind... and get used to leaning your body in the right direction to compensate.

I've ridden alot in Upper and Lower Dakota. That wind is usually "light and variable... 30 to 40 mph" :geek

Just dress for the ride, and no matter who you are with, ride to your abilities, not theirs!

Appreciate the encouragement!

Ill agree with the others, 400-500 miles aday is alot if your making stops and seeing some sights. I try to do about 350 miles doing the sight seeing thing.

Im still a new rider and been on 3 long trips so far, each time I pack less. I use my travel bag as a back rest and it makes a big difference, I also would recommend a throttle rocker. The full face helmet is a good idea even with the windshield, I use a 3/4 with a shield and the windshield.

Remember to take pictures at all the state lines underneath the welcome signs. Sounds alittle doopy but you will have good photo albums to look back on.

I rode my '03 1200C with 18" ape's almost 900 miles to Sturgis. Nothin' to it if you're prepared, both mentally and physically. I don't have a windshield and my neck never hurt. I have a Mustang seat so my butt never hurt. I've got an engine guard with adjustable highway pegs so I can get my feet into three different positions. The only thing that hurt on me after an almost 900 mile day was my knees, but falling out of airplanes and five knee surgeries will do that to a person...:roflblack

Take this, as most advice you'll get, with a grain of salt until you try it. This all worked for me. Doesn't mean that it's going to work for anyone else. I like the advice given earlier about trying a bunch of trips from now until then, especially if you're not used to longer cruising on a rigid mount.

The only two complaints that I had about the trip were a) I had to stop about every 80-85 miles for gas because of the wind and gas stations in the middle of nowhere being somewhat scarce and b) the trip was just plain too short in time; I felt like I could have gone on for weeks.



EDIT: Almost forgot...if you plan on buying t-shirts out there then maybe pack less shirts (or none) when you go, buy the shirts there and wear them the day you buy them.

whatever you do dont pack too much stuff.
i have a 2003 883R with 12,500 miles on her so far.
taken several trips and i bring a sleeping bag,spare helmet (never know who ya might meet) and a set of throw over saddle bags with an extra pair of jeans ,fleece pullover( for cold weather riding) and a few t-shirts.thats it.
i dont wear underwear when i ride,much more comfortable and i can buy socks or any other things i need when i get where i am going.
if i pick up anything big along the way,i just ups it back home.
done a couple of 500 mile days on the sporty,takes about 8-9 hrs and is pretty exhausting. 350-400 miles a day is more to my liking.
hoping to hit sturgis this summer from syracuse ny, then on to california and back all in 16 days.

OK : ]\/[ Too Much Info !!!!


Your gonna love that trip!! But your buddies are gonna be a bit more comfy than you are, And there likely going to have a little fun at your expense. But thats Cool !!! When ya get there tell everyone that you had to pull them up the hills !!!!:smoke :smoke

ENJOY !!!!!

I've read a lot of good advise here for 'outlawearl' but the other thing I can add, which I practise myself anytime I go for a bit of an extended ride is to ride at a speed that you're comfortable at and try not to push it in terms of riding more miles than you can reasonable handle for safety. It just takes that one second of inattention when your tired for something nasty to happen and it can occur very quickly.

Don, thanks for the link...also, I appreciated doing business with you (Saddlebags for my XL50). The items are just what I was looking for, and I appreciated the XLforum discount.

I hope to meet you at Sturgis next year. We have a small group leaving from Kansas City.

Very cool! I'm up in the air about Sturgess this year. I want to ride my Sporty. My girl friend doesn't want to get a bigger bike than her 250 Rebel. Can you believe it, Ive been trying to buy her a new Sporty but she says they are too big! Maybe I'll send her ahead with her bike and a trailer load of camping gear.

If your ever in my neck of the woods: Iron County MO let me know. I'll show you the sights. We have lots of twisty roads and pretty hills here. We have a little get together the end of July- beginning of August every year on the Black River in Lesterville. Sometime a dozen people show up sometimes a hundred. It's about a 350 mile cruise from KC.

I'm glad you like the saddlebags.

If your ever in my neck of the woods: Iron County MO let me know. I'll show you the sights. We have lots of twisty roads and pretty hills here. We have a little get together the end of July- beginning of August every year on the Black River in Lesterville. Sometime a dozen people show up sometimes a hundred. It's about a 350 mile cruise from KC. Sound like a perfect "warm up" trip for Sturgis this spring. I've not spent much time in your neck of the woods, and hear that it is very scenic. Don't be surprised if I take you up on your offer.

Finally, I am trying to picture your GM riding the Rebel to Sturgis...that would be a trip! Think you could talk her into that? I heard of someone who rode a mini-bike in the past.

As far as packing for the ride...

Put everything on the floor that you want to take along and then eliminate items if everything won't fit.

My weekend trip last summer to Gettysburg I brought along my camera & laptop, clothes, light & heavy coat, rain gear, tools and some other things. It can be done if you can see it as a 3-d puzzle. (little tricks like rolling your clothes instead of folding them)

I also recommend riding as much as possible now until trip time to keep your body used to being in the saddle. Those little charlie horses and cramps are less likely to pop up.

Very good advice. Especially the riding part. if you are not used to it you will hurt in places you never knew you had after a couple of days on the road!

Sound like a perfect "warm up" trip for Sturgis this spring. I've not spent much time in your neck of the woods, and hear that it is very scenic. Don't be surprised if I take you up on your offer.

Finally, I am trying to picture your GM riding the Rebel to Sturgis...that would be a trip! Think you could talk her into that? I heard of someone who rode a mini-bike in the past.

Don't dare her!
All I would have to do is tell her she can't. She's mean enough, she would carry the Rebel all the way there on her back if you told her it couldn't be done!

Don't dare her!
All I would have to do is tell her she can't. She's mean enough, she would carry the Rebel all the way there on her back if you told her it couldn't be done!I look forward to meeting her. My wife hates bikes (but loves me and even helps Santa pick out great Christmas gifts for the bike), so I don't have to worry about her coming along. As a note, we have a small group from the KC area going to Sturgis. We are leaving on August 6th and taking the "back roads."

Ive had my 02 883 Hugger a little over a year. Never been outa Okla on it till this Aug. Me and my buddy, hes on a 93 1200, left Norman Okla for Sturgus. Only stayed in Sturgus 2 days (too crowded and expensive). We made it a 10 day vacation. I friggin loved it. We went north threw OK,KAN,NEB,S.DAKOTA,MONTANA westernWYO,COLO,NEW MEX,TEX and back to home. Nothing compaired to the fun I had. Im hooked. Next summer Grand Canyon or NE US. I had no problems what so ever. Did I say I friggin loved It. 3200 miles in 10 days. I am so ready to go on another long ride. My 883 was great. 2 lane, 60 mph tops. I totally enjoyed the sites, people, smells, even a day of rain didnt bother us. Im 47, at this was the best vacation Ive ever had. Im still stoked, 4 months later. Cant wait till next summer. Sorry this is so long, but ive found my purpose in life. Wish I had got this adventure years ago. I thank GOD for my newfound hobby. Ok I'll calm down now. P.S. even my wife says Im a calmer person now cause of my riden. It dont get no better than this.
MUDA

I have considered riding my own to Sturgis this coming year. After being there on the back of a Superglide two years ago, my main concern is the wind. Once you hit Murdo, S.D. or so, the wind is incredible! You just can't know the depth I mean until you've done the trip. We had heard, and it was still more than we expected. Seeing that my 250lb. hubby on a fully packed Superglide had trouble keeping the bike upright and in a forward (although never straight) motion, it concerns me whether a 125lb. female on an 883 could handle the wind...


I've ridden to Sturgis 1300 miles or more each time from here on the West Coast 6 times now,twice with no windshield on a Superglide.
The wind I wouldn't worry about so much but other inclement weather can be an issue no mater how experienced you are or what bike you are riding.
Back in '93 we got caught in a hell of a thunder storm somewhere abouts the Wyoming/South Dakota border and experienced golfball sized hail.
We've been caught other times by rain coming down so hard that I had to pull over, I've been riding bikes 40 years in the rain here in the PAC NW so I'm experienced in the wet stuff but it was too much for me.
I wouldn't let this keep you from going but keep in mind to hope for the best but be prepaired for the worst.
In '02 up in Northern Montana we rode 200 miles in cold cold rain when we got detoured off hiway 2 because of rain and road construction causing the road to be impassable.
It was 200 miles down to Great Falls to get a room!
Sh!t happens sometimes so be prepaired to take the good with the bad ;)
I've logged a lot more good miles than bad but those bad ones do stick in the mind lol.:rolleyes:
It's all part of the game so just pack your rain gear and some survival stuff like snacks and water and if you have room a small tent is nice to have along weather you are planning on camping or not.
Having shelter in the middle of nowhere can come in pretty damn handy when the chips are down.
Like I said it's all part of the game and I wouldn't have it any other way,a few trips facing some adversity along the road makes for a well seasond rider and some great tales to tell for years to come.

go you will have a blast. i rode my roadster to sturgis from central pa. the only part that sucked was having to stop for gas every 100 miles. i had a windshield and forward controls and a mustang seat i was comfortable. i have had guys tell me i was crazy for riding a sportster that far it was 3700 miles in 6 days. i rode all the way with my father on his electra glide classic my sportster never missed a beat. would i do it again on a sportster maybe would it be nice to strike off on a road king or a glide sure. someday someday i hope i can tour the this great country on a glide or a road king for months on end.

How many people ride their Sportsters to Sturgis? I have never been there & I am looking at buying a 2003 100 year Sportster & wondered if they are comfortable enough for a two day ride to Sturgis?
Thanks

Almost every year from Dallas. We take the long, more scenic route through NM, CO & WY, then come home through IO, MO, AR & OK. Round-trip, by the time we spend every day up there riding all day, it usually adds up to somewhere around 3000 or 4000 miles.

It all depends on your setup. Good seat, bars set at comfortable height and angle, highway pegs, windshield at proper height, water bottle holder so you can stay hydrated as you roll, etc. And of course good gear to keep you personally comfortable: warm, wind-proof winter gear, leak-proof rain gear, and blistering hot summer gear. Sturgis tends to include a lot of extreme (and varied) weather. Also good riding glasses, a comfortable helmet that handles wind well without jerking your head around, and efficient ear plugs to reduce fatigue. You'd be surprised at how physically tiring wind noise can be over a period of hours... it's something you don't really notice at the time, but it's draining.

But I don't do "iron butt" type rides. Don't see the point. I ride till I feel like stopping, then I stop. I usually plan 350 or 400 mile days as a rule, but since I don't make reservations en route I adjust it according to whim. Some days I've ended up riding 700+ miles and enjoying every minute, other days I've been ready to stop after 300. Taking the roundabout route I prefer, it usually takes 2-1/2 days to roll into Rapid City or Keystone or Wall or wherever I plan to stay while I'm up there. The entire trip is recreational, not just "getting there".

Um, I just noticed that the original post in this thread is dated January 2005! I assume the original poster's Sturgis trip is a done deal by many months now. Wonder how it went? Or even IF it went?

Justto throw this into this old thread, and to get any7 feedback of those who've tried it:

For solo seats, has anyone tried the 1-up solo pack?

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444876915 7&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309043324&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309043324&bmUID=1167489779119&bmLocale=en_US

I've been riding well over 20 years. Last time I did Sturgis was in '03 from MT...then to Milwaukee...then on to a more or less continuous 18K trip around the US on a softail...great ride:banadanc

The only thing I will add is to ride your own ride...some days you will pass 500 miles and feel great, some days 200 is a chore....take the time, your body will let you know. Take lots of pix, stop and look around, talk to folks...you may not come this way again.

As for gear, for me it was: FF helmet, rain suit, electrics, full comfortable riding gear w/boots that you can walk in, a couple of those quick dry shirts, pants and t's, tent, sleep bag, munchies, ipod, cell, basic tools and map. For you it might be different...when I first started, I laid all the stuff I thought I'd need on the floor, took away half the next day....then took away half of that the following day....then took twice the $$$$:laugh

I'm new to sporties and am considering a long ride this summer from OH to AK....I'll let you know if the butt burns and the wind whips when I get back:tour

Is anyone riding to Sturgis from South Carolina area? I have thought about it, but have not made any long rides yet. I am planning on a 800 mile round trip this month to the mountains and back.

I rode my 1200C to Billings Montana and then on to Jackson Wyoming last summer. Never had a bit of trouble the whole trip. Total miles was just short of 5900.

I gotta agree with Ralph.....Money has nothing to do with the HD experience. All my bud's told me to stay away from the sporty's. After buying one I see no need for a big twin. The 1200 has all the tourque & HP you'll need.


my .02
Dave

All your buds know you can smoke 'em with your sporty! I am content with mine, and Ralph's bike is smokin' so no wonder they wish you had a BT and didn't kill 'em on the road. BT's are just that, and sporty's are sporty's. :tour

A word of advice, never use the term all I can afford when speaking of our beloved sportsters. They are all you will ever need or want. They are truly great bikes and the only reason to buy a bigtwin is because of peer pressure because they certainly aren't any better, just different.

i second that.... all i ever wanted in hd is a sporty....